Round 8 of the Club Championship was held at Rothwell on Sunday 29 April. “The course is fast, with a net decent of 30 metres between start and finish” is the blurb on the organiser’s website describing this popular 10km course. Which in running terms means an ideal opportunity to try for a personal best (PB). The weather was good, not too hot, calm and fine so the conditions were ideal and, as ever, the 11 members of ERC who competed did not disappoint. First home for the Club and setting his own record was Mark Whiteman in 54th posn (out of a field of 726) with an excellent time of 35:46; the overall winner having completed the course in an incredible 30:08 for Holmfirth Harriers. Anne Hartley (48:54) and Bernie Wood (50:36) also bagged their own PBs. The other Club members, whilst not setting a new PB, were however very pleased with their fast times.
At this half way stage in the Club Championship, the current leader is Paul Jacobs, 14 points ahead of second placed Chris Hartley. With another 8 races to be completed for the Championship, the title is still open to challenge.
The York District Road Race League is now underway with the first out of 5 races being held at Pocklington on the evening of Tuesday 8 May which was also Round 9 of the Club Championship. An incredible 36 members represented ERC which accounts for almost 50% of the total membership with another 20 members registered to take part in at least one of the 5 races. It was a fantastic sight to see so many of the Club’s colours in evidence at this race equalling our presence with those from the larger York-based clubs. Following on from our success of last year, 6 of our runners finished in the first 22 positions followed by a constant stream of blue and green crossing the finishing line in very good times – yet more PBs were achieved for Kevin Lally, Jon Dixon, Andrew Throop and Sarah Dixon. All the effort on this hilly course in breezy conditions paid off as ERC has 4 placings in the top 5 for the M40 category and the ‘A team’ are currently lying 2nd in the open team class. Hazel Wharton-Street is also leading in her F55 category.
The second of the Road Race League races is on Tuesday 22 May at Tadcaster and this is also Round 10 of the Club Championship.
Start of the York District Road Race League Season – what a turnout!
